Chancellor's Message

I am honored and excited to serve as the CEO of Fayetteville State University. This university was founded upon a great historical legacy that will contribute to our emergence as a competitive and modern 21st century institution. We will honor the dynamic history of this university in 2017 when the university celebrates its Sesquicentennial Birthday 1867-2017 (150th Anniversary). It will be one of the most memorable events in this institution’s already storied legacy.

My task is to apply leadership and management strategies that reflect integrity, quality, transparency, and excellence. Our most precious commodity is our students and everything that we do should support their growth, maturity, and success. Our five-year strategic plan will be the map that guides us as we seek to provide the best experiences possible for our students. “From a Proud Legacy to a Twenty-First Century World-Class University of Choice” will be the guiding theme for the next five years. The three strategic priorities for 2015-2020 are: 1) Retention and Graduation Rates, 2) Collaborations and Partnerships, and 3) Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Sustainability.

I appreciate the daily efforts of our faculty, staff and administrators, and the support from our alumni, the community, and friends worldwide. I truly become emotional when I say that I am “Proud to Be” the Chancellor of Fayetteville State University.

Notable Achievements under Chancellor Anderson’s Leadership

The Economic Impact of FSU on Fayetteville and Cumberland County (2012-13) included $153.8 million in total economic output; 2,210 jobs; $104.4 million in labor income; $5.4 million in taxes; and $195 million in incremental salary value of FSU alumni currently residing in Cumberland County. Over $75 million in research, campus operations, and new construction included employment of local contractors and subcontractors.

From 2010-2013, clean state audits and only minimal recommendations since then.

In terms of educating FSU graduates (2012-2013), North Carolina tax payers received $16.13 for each dollar of state funds expended (11.5% ROI) ; and in terms of Federal appropriations, $54.55 was generated for each dollar of federal funds expended (15.1% ROI)

When Chancellor Anderson arrived at FSU, grant funding was $5.5 million. For 2014-15 it will approach $12 million.

Alumni giving (donations) was 3.1% in 2008 and is currently 12.6%. FSU has doubled the number of alums who give and we have initiated our first comprehensive capital campaign.

From 2008-2013, FSU had 1,293 graduates in graduate or professional school (29% of all awarded degrees).

Since 2013, the FSU Pre-Law Society has advised 42 students and 39 have been accepted into Law School (93% acceptance rate).

FSU received continued NCATE Accreditation for teacher education and SACS Reaffirmation of the entire university.

FSU ranks as the top HBCU producer of teachers in North Carolina and 8th in the nation.

The Social Science Research Network (SSRN) ranks FSU’s School of Business and Economics 63d best in the country (#116 in the world). FSU is the 3d ranked Business program in NC behind Duke and UNC Chapel Hill and the highest ranked HBCU in the country. The MBA program is ranked #4 in NC and among the top 50 in the nation.

According to forensicscolleges.com, FSU has the #2 ranked Forensic Biology program in the country and one of only two in North Carolina selected for their listing.

The Nursing Program has a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX and ranked #2 in the Eastern and Southeastern region of the U.S. and best among NC Nursing programs (NurseJournal.org 2015).

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency recently designated FSU as a Center of Excellence (the only UNC school and HBCU to have the GEOINT Certificate accreditation).

College Factual ranks FSU as the nation’s 33rd best college for veterans. FSU is the only NC institution ranked in the top 50. Military Times publication ranked FSU as the top school in NC on its “2014 Best for Vets Colleges” listing. FSU offers the only Master’s degree in Social Work on a military base in the country (Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX).